Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and important principles related to Bloodstain Pattern Analysis.

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

The scientific study of the static consequences resulting from dynamic blood shedding events.

Basic Tenets of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Blood behaves according to the laws of physics, the appearance of bloodstains is surface dependent, the direction of movement can be determined by appearance, and bloodstain patterns are predictable.

Passive Bloodstains

Bloodstains that occur due to gravity without any external force.

Spatter Bloodstains

Bloodstains created when a blood drop is propelled through the air due to an external force applied to liquid blood.

Transfer Stains

Stains that occur when a wet, bloodied object comes in contact with another object.

Drip Stains

Created when blood falls onto a surface due to the force of gravity.

Drip Pattern

Resulting from liquid dripping into another liquid, where at least one is blood.

Splash Pattern

Created when a volume of blood falls onto a surface.

Pool Pattern

Indicates a blood source was in a location for an extended period.

Impact Pattern

Created when an object strikes liquid blood.

Forward Spatter Pattern

Resulting from blood drops produced when a projectile creates an exit wound.

Expiration Pattern

Resulting from blood forced by airflow out of the nose, mouth, or a wound.

Cast-Off Pattern

Created when blood is released from a blood-bearing object in motion.

Projected Pattern

Created when a volume of blood is ejected under pressure.

Swipe Pattern

Created when blood from a blood-bearing object is transferred onto another object, indicating relative motion.

Wipe Pattern

Created when an object moves through an existing bloodstain, altering its appearance.

Directionality of a Bloodstain

Describes the direction blood was traveling when impacting the target surface.

Area of Convergence

The two-dimensional location of the blood source.

Angle of Impact

The acute angle between the path of a blood droplet and the surface it strikes.

Area of Origin

The three-dimensional location of a blood source.

Applications of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Determines the location of the blood source during impact, the number of impacts, type of impact, position of individuals during and after bloodletting, movement, and whether an artery was cut.